Slackness Reproved
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will often appears; the same lack of self-denial; the same impatience
manifest under reproof; the same love of self, and unwillingness to seek
counsel of others, or to be influenced by others’ judgment; the same
indolence, shunning of burdens, lack of bearing responsibilities, is
seen in their relation to the church. It is possible for such to overcome,
but how hard the battle! how severe the conflict! How hard to pass
through a course of thorough discipline, which is necessary for them
to reach the elevation of Christian character. Yet if they overcome at
last, they will be permitted to see before they are translated how near
the precipice of eternal destruction they came, caused by the lack of
right training in youth, and by not learning submission in childhood.
Systematic Benevolence
I was pointed back to the children of Israel anciently. God re-
quired of them all a sacrifice, both poor and rich, according as he had
prospered them. The poor were not excused because they had not the
wealth of their rich brethren. They were required to exercise economy
and self-denial, that they come not before the Lord empty-handed.
And those who were so poor that it was utterly impossible for them to
bring an offering to the Lord, if sickness or misfortune had deprived
them of the ability to bestow, those who were wealthy were required
to help them to a humble mite, that they come not before the Lord
empty-handed. This arrangement preserved a mutual interest.
In the arrangement of Systematic Benevolence, some have not
come up and united in this work, and have excused themselves because
they were not free from debt. They plead that they must first “owe no
man anything.” But being in debt does not excuse them. I saw that
they should render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God
the things that are God’s. Some feel conscientious to “owe no man
[52]
anything,” and think that God can require nothing of them until their
debts are all paid. Here they deceive themselves. They fail to render
to God the things that are God’s. Every one must bring to the Lord
a suitable offering. Those who are in debt should take the amount
of their debts from what they possess, and give a proportion of the
remainder.
Some have felt under sacred obligations to their children. They
must give them each a portion, but feel themselves unable to raise